Study of prostate cancer pathologic features in Chinese populations

To report the pathologic features of prostate cancer and its clinical outcome in the Chinese population in Taiwan.

A total of 139 radical prostatectomy specimens removed at Koo Foundation Sun Yat-Sen Cancer Center from 1993 to 2001 were reviewed.

The median patient age was 69 years. The histologic type was acinar adenocarcinoma in 137, mucinous adenocarcinoma in 1, and ductal adenocarcinoma in 1. The median tumor number in each prostate gland was 2. The main tumor location was distributed in peripheral zone (76.3%), followed by the transitional zone (15.1%). The Gleason score of the largest tumor was 2 to 4 in 1.5%, 5 to 6 in 7.9%, 7 in 48.9%, and 8 to 10 in 41.7%. Extraprostatic tumor extension, seminal vesicle invasion, and lymph node metastasis were found in 59.0%, 28.8%, and 13.7% of the patients, respectively. Of the 139 specimens, 56 (40.3%), 64 (46.1%), and 19 (13.7%) were pathologic Stage T2, T3, and T4, respectively. The clinical stage (P = 0.0059), serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level (greater than 20 ng/mL versus 10 ng/mL or less, P = 0.002), extraprostatic extension (P = 0.0012), seminal vesicle invasion (P <0.0001), and surgical margin status (P <0.0001) were all significant factors for disease progression on univariate analysis. On multivariate analysis, the serum PSA level (greater than 20 ng/mL versus 10 ng/mL or less, P = 0.03), seminal vesicle invasion (P = 0.02), and surgical margin status (P = 0.02) remained significant.

The patients with prostate cancer cared for at the Koo Foundation Sun Yat-Sen Cancer Center were older and had greater PSA levels, a more advanced stage, higher grade tumors, and high positive surgical margin rates. Increased public awareness and implementing a PSA screening program in Taiwan are of crucial importance.